23. THE MOUNTAIN-QUAIL. 



Ophrysia superciliosa, (Gray). 



Total length not less than 9 inches. 



Tail of ten feathers. 



First quill of the wing falling short 

 of the tip of the wing by more than 

 half an inch ; the tip of the tenth 

 quill falling between the tips of the 

 first and second. 



MALE : — General colour olive-brown. 



FEMALE : — General colour cinnamon- 

 brown. 



Vernacular Names :— None known. 



The Mountain-Quail is one of the rarest 

 of Indian game birds, and the few speci- 

 mens that we know of were procured near 

 Mussooree and Naini Tal many years ago. 



This Quail-like bird has been shot at 

 the above places in November, December 

 and June, and I am therefore inclined to 

 consider it a permanent resident in those 

 parts of the Himalayas. 



Mr. Hume is, however, of opinion that 

 this species is a winter visitor to India. 



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